Manchester University Wind Orchestra takes home Gold Award from National Concert Band Festival final

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Manchester University Wind Orchestra (MUWO) could not have asked for a better confirmation of the band’s skill, determination and charisma than a Gold Award in the Open Wind Band category at the annual National Concert Band Festival, held at The Sage Gateshead on Saturday 31 March.

The orchestra was invited to the National Concert Band Festival final after receiving a gold award at the regional heats in November.  Having been invited to the final five times before, the band was aware of the high standard of playing, and until now had only received Silver Awards at the finals.

Musical Director Philip Robinson led the band through a difficult and engaging programme.  In their 25-minute slot they performed two pieces: Ernest Tomlinson’s Suite of English Folk-Dances, one of the ensemble’s favourites, and a fun 5-minute piece by Percy Grainger, Children’s March.  Philip commented on receiving the award:
“This Gold Award is a great tribute to the time and energy that the players have put into this wind orchestra over the past 10 years.  The band is in a better position now than it has ever been and it’s an extremely exciting time for all of us.  I truly could not be more thrilled with this award and what it means to us.”

Simone Rebello and Geoffrey Brand, adjudicators of the NCBF awards, said that the playing this year had been truly fantastic, and that they wished that some of the younger bands who had played earlier in the day could have stayed on to hear such outstanding playing from all the bands in the category.  Keith Allen, director of NCBF, described it as a “unique occasion”.

MUWO’s success at the National Concert Band Festival follows a fantastic season so far.  On Saturday 9 December, MUWO along with some of its past players from the last 10 years, sold out the Haden Freeman Concert Hall at the Royal Northern College of Music in a 10th Anniversary Gala Concert.  They were joined by Stockport Grammar School Wind Orchestra, Stockport Youth Wind Orchestra, and wind players from Warrington Youth Orchestra for an incredible large-scale occasion.

For further information, interviews or press tickets to future events, please contact William Carey (MUWO Manager) on 0161 275 3299 or email william.carey@manchester.ac.uk

MUWO Biography

Manchester University Wind Orchestra (MUWO) was formed in October 1996 by its Musical Director Philip Robinson, and from quite humble beginnings with a core of forty players, the group has now grown to seventy players and includes students, alumni and staff from The University of Manchester, and others from around the region.

MUWO’s approach is simple and unique, which is perhaps why, unlike many university wind ensembles, the band’s members have become so dedicated, many staying on after graduating.  Regardless of ability and degree course, MUWO takes on players with only one prerequisite – that they are willing to have fun, play confidently, and put­­­­­­ in 100 percent effort.

MUWO’s current home is the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall, in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama.  Here the ensembles rehearse weekly and perform three concerts a year.  Alongside this regular season of concerts, MUWO has travelled on many successful tours throughout Europe, including the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium to name a few.  The band has also been asked to perform at the BASBWE/RNCM International Wind Festival on several occasions.

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